I got me a used Club Date SE downbeat kit (12-14-20) in silver sparkle and I must say, it's awesome. I've been interested in these kits ever since they came out in 2012 and I was lucky enough to find and buy the first used one I've seen listed for sale locally. The guy bought them this past summer so they're like new except for a couple of scuffs on the BD hoops and for some odd reason the classic bracket on the Vibraband was switched with a generic bracket. I'm pretty anal about that stuff so I ordered a classic bracket to replace it.

I also ordered the matching 5x14 snare. I really like that Ludwig decided to do something different with the shell (4 ply cherry/gum with birch re-rings) instead of just making a snare out of the same shell as the kit. Shows that they care how the thing sounds as opposed to just making a matching wood snare.

I sold my Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz to buy this kit and as much as I like those kits this is definitely a step or two up. Hardware all around is about the same (except of course for that awful mini-GTS on the Gretsch). If you don't like the center mounted lug then there isn't much I could say to convince you. I personally love the look. The rail mount is very solid and flexible except perhaps in the height department. The Gretsch tom post might beat it for that but it's not a huge deal. The spurs are gull-wing and seem to hold well enough even though I prefer Pearl-style spurs like on the Gretsch. Once again not a deal breaker.

Where the difference is most apparent is the shells. The CD cherry-gum shells are really nice and sound fantastic. The tone (and overtones) of the toms is much more pleasing to the ear. The stock bass drum head is terrible so I'll be more able to assess the sound once I replace it. I'm not worried 'cause I can already hear the potential waiting to get out.

I promise I'll get some pics up tomorrow. I probably won't get to gig these babies until January. Can't wait!

Congrats! Those are really nice drums. I think what you're liking about it is the 30-degree rounded bearing edges. That has alot to do with the sound. Sometimes a 45-degree bearing edge can't be coaxed to sound like the vintage kits from back in the day.

I was debating getting one of these to be a second kit, but I ended up getting a better primary kit instead ;)

Congrats! Those are really nice drums. I think what you're liking about it is the 30-degree rounded bearing edges. That has alot to do with the sound. Sometimes a 45-degree bearing edge can't be coaxed to sound like the vintage kits from back in the day.

I was debating getting one of these to be a second kit, but I ended up getting a better primary kit instead ;)

The edges are probably a huge factor. Whatever it is, it sounds amazing. Ludwig rocks!

Okay, here are a few pics. Decided to slap on some EC2s that I already had. Sounds FAT. Got a Powerstroke for the bass drum. Now this puppy is punchy as hell. The last picture showcases the beautiful shell interiors nicely. Totally in love with these drums!

The silver sparkle is very nice and looks better in person. Some of the pics with the flash make it look like grey dots on white. I think if I had bought the kit new I might have picked a different color. Either ruby sparkle or white pearl. But I'm happy with the silver. My least favorite is the olive sparkle but I would have bought it anyway had it been that color. I suspect it looks better in person too.

I only have one A custom being my 20" Ping Ride. But they are sure to blend well with what I have since it's pretty standard medium weight stuff. I haven't given the kit a proper test drive yet and probably won't until my next gig in January. But I've never been one to worry about cymbals blending. I end up sounding like me.

I only have one A custom being my 20" Ping Ride. But they are sure to blend well with what I have since it's pretty standard medium weight stuff. I haven't given the kit a proper test drive yet and probably won't until my next gig in January. But I've never been one to worry about cymbals blending. I end up sounding like me.

The crucial decision now is: do I drill for a cymbal mount? I really liked having it on my CCJ and I also have it on my Rocker II but I'm not sure if I want to drill this bass drum. If I do I think I'll get a Ludwig classic bracket to match the others instead of the Gibraltar round bracket. Decisions, decisions...

Did my first gig with the CD tonight. I gotta say, it sounded great. I got the snare last weekend just in time for the gig. A drummer friend of mine said it sounded real fat out front and it wasn't mic'ed. Really happy I got it and at $170 was a bargain. Bass drum (was mic'ed) sounded killer with tons of punch and bottom. The toms sounded warm and fat with coated G2s.

I used to be in love with these drums. Now I'm a full blown obsessed stalker. Here's a crappy pic I took before sound check. Took out the Yammy stands tonight. They deserve some action too.

Beautiful kit,love the finish inside and out. Did u find it on the internet or local.

Luckily it was a local find. I wouldn't have gotten it online because it would have probably cost more than I was willing to put on it with shipping and duty. With the money from selling my Catalina plus a small out of pocket expense for the difference ($165) I thought it was well worth it. Of course the snare was an add-on but it's a great sounding snare for the price. I'm very happy with the move overall.